Oregon In Brief

Thursday

Nov 15, 2007 at 2:00 AMJan 21, 2011 at 11:25 AM

Chem Kids Weekend at ScienceWorks

ScienceWorks Museum and the Southern Oregon University Chemistry Club will present "Chem Kids" this weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The annual event features two days filled with chemistry activities and experiments.

This year features some new activities for amateur chemists of all ages.

Students in SOU's Chemistry Club and ScienceWorks staff and volunteers have collaborated to present the weekend event for children and adults. Visitors will be led through multiple chemistry experiments including, Alka-Seltzer Rockets, Tie Dye, Lava Lamps and Shrinky Dinks. Children and parents will experience valuable lab experience in a fun environment.

ScienceWorks is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Following the Chem Kids Weekend, ScienceWorks opens the Toy Science Festival the day after Thanksgiving. For more information visit or call 482-6767.

Child suspended for violent drawing

EAGLE POINT &

School officials in this southern Oregon town suspended a first-grader whose drawing of a stick figure shooting another in the head attracted complaints from parents.

Ryan Weathers, 6, was sent home from Little Butte School on Tuesday.

Tina Mondale, the district's school improvement director, declined to discuss specifics of the case, saying the issue is between the school and the parents involved.

A disciplinary report given to the boy's family stated the reason for the suspension was the boy "threatened to shoot two girls in the head."

It's unclear if the drawing was accompanied by a verbal comment.

The boy's father, Douglas Weathers, told the Mail Tribune newspaper that the drawing was inspired by an episode of "The Simpsons," in which a character displays a drawing of a student being shot by a gun.

Weathers said he understands the concerns other parents may have, but felt a suspension was too severe.